Bomb Investigation At Tuolumne County Courthouse

Sonora, CA — Washington St. in downtown Sonora remains blocked off at the intersections of Jackson and Elkin as officials are investigating whether a package found at the Courthouse is an explosive device.

?One of the bailiffs found what they called a ?suspicious package´ at the back door of the Courthouse near the handicapped ramp,? says Sgt. Jim Oliver with the Tuolumne County Sheriff´s Office. ?Patrol responded, and we have set up a perimeter around the Courthouse.?

The bag was located around the seven o´clock hour during a routine security check of the building.

The Calaveras County Bomb Squad has arrived in downtown Sonora and is currently conducting an investigation. Buildings that surround the Courthouse have been evacuated.

Officials do not have an estimate as to how long Washington St. will be closed down to traffic. A detour has been set up along Stewart St.

Written by BJ Hansen